When Family Takes Fordham: A Fun Visit For Everyone!

One of my favorite parts about going to Fordham is that there is an endless amount of new places to go, activities to try, and experiences to have. There is always something exciting going on on Fordham's campuses, and I love going into Manhattan! This component of Fordham is especially helpful to me whenever my family comes to visit me from New Jersey. Like me, my family loves to enjoy all that Fordham has to offer. Whenever my parents and my brothers come to Fordham, we never run out of things to do and no family visit is ever dull! 

My brothers and I when they came to visit me!

My family loves coming to visit me at Fordham, and now that football season is in full swing, my parents have totally embraced that "Ram Spirit" we students hold close to our hearts. I really enjoy going to Fordham football games with my family because the community and the spirit in the stands makes everyone feel welcome and excited to be there. At the last home game, even my younger brothers got into the Fordham spirit when they saw the Ram mascot cheering from the sidelines! 

Our view of the field at the football game

Arthur Avenue is also a huge success when my family comes to town. Whenever they visit, parents and brothers love to try the many different restaurants that line the street. The delicious Italian cuisine and the authentic Italian atmosphere is very exciting and different from any restaurant back in my hometown. The proximity of Arthur Avenue to Fordham's Rose Hill campus is also a huge plus. 

Arthur Avenue is a great place to bring family!

Fordham's campus is my home, and I love it when my family comes to Fordham and feels at home, as well. The welcoming environment and the endless opportunities Fordham has to offer are fun and enjoyable for everyone. Whether friends, family, or anyone else comes to visit Fordham, a good time is always guaranteed! 

A Weekend Trip to Fire Island

This past weekend, I had to make the difficult decision of either staying for the much anticipated spring weekend, or going to my annual family reunion on Fire Island.  Although it was tough to choose, I decided to go with my family and catch to with all of my relatives whom I rarely see.  Fire island is extremely unique as there are no cars allowed- everyone bikes and walks.  It is a small, beachy community off the coast of Long Island, and the only way to get there is via ferry.  It was so great to spend quality time with my aunts, uncles, cousins, siblings and grandparents.  Although it was a bit chilly, we spent our days biking into town, taking walks along the ocean, playing games and enjoying delicious food.  Below are a couple pictures from my relaxing weekend!

We woke up at 5:45 to watch the sunrise!

Me with my little cousin, Fiona!

Blog by: Caroline McCue

Rose Hill Ramily

When I start my tours, I begin with the classic tagline: "Hi my name is ____. I'm from ____. My major is ____." However, I have something unique to add to the end of that introduction: I'm the third of four family members to have attended Fordham.

My dad attended law school at Fordham Lincoln Center. Owing to this connection and his childhood in the Bronx, my brother, sister, and I grew up knowing of and visiting Fordham Rose Hill. Our grade school basketball teams frequented half-time shows during the team's season and the Keating image was a well-known one in our household.

The day of my brother's graduation.

When my brother first decided to attend, I thought "No way will I do that. Who wants to go to school with their sibling?" I was looking for a new independent niche and didn't think I could figure that out at a school my brother attended. Clearly, I caved to this ridiculous presumption. Two years later, following suit, my sister faced the same challenge and ultimately chose Rose Hill as well.

To most of you that probably sounds like a lot of family, and trust me it has been! But it has been one of the greatest blessings in my experience at Fordham. From day one, we've know the in's and out's of departments like Gabelli and the Law School as well as the awesome reunions Homecoming and Jubilee bring. We can give you directions to the Ram Van or to Arthur Ave with a specific recommendation for exactly the kind of Italian cuisine you're looking for.

My sister and I on her first day of orientation.

More than anything else though, my favorite part of having family at Fordham is how it has grown. What began as my parents, my brother, my sister, and I now includes our roommates and friends. Some of my friends are my sister's and likewise for me. When I was a freshman, it was my brother's crew who showed me the ropes and kept an eye out for me. Over the years, our family has expanded so that my college community does not just stay in the Bronx: it comes back home with me too. Wherever I am, I'm followed by the spirit of Fordham University and the love of relationships I've made and fostered there.

Even though my experience has certainly been unique, it's one of the many examples of how Fordham fosters family. Families aren't always the one you're born into, but they're the ones you carry with you throughout and following college. As a senior, it's one of the many things that I will miss the most. I am so incredibly lucky to have both built and maintained my family here. I recommend it to anyone who's looking to do the same. 

Spring Break in Boston

This past weekend I spent at home in Boston, MA for spring break.  Although I love Fordham, my friends, classes and NYC, it is definitely nice to be able to relax and unwind at home!  While at home, I spent time with my younger sisters, high school friends, and caught up with my parents and relatives.  I had some amazing meals, and even brought my family home a gift card from The Meatball Shoppe- one of my favorite spots in New York.

Catching up with my family

One of the most exciting parts of my break was going to the Federal Courthouse to witness a day of the Boston Marathon Bombing trial.  I got there very early in the morning, and was able to sit in the main room- just 20 feet away from Jahar Tsarnaev himself.  The Marathon Bombing is such a historical event, and it was fascinating to witness a day of the trial in person.  My week at home was fun, but I was so excited to come back to campus to be reunited with my friends, this amazing campus and lively city.  It is amazing how I now have two places that feel completely like home- my actual home in MA, and my home that I built here at Fordham.

From inside the Federal Courthouse

Blog By: Caroline McCue

Weekend Update

Anna Romagnoli

This past weekend was the end of our spring break at Fordham. I spent this last week in West Palm Beach, FL with my two roommates. It was great to relax, enjoy the warm weather and spend time at the beach. Now that we are back, we are excited to enjoy spring and the rest of our last semester at Fordham!

My roommate and me enjoying the beautiful weather

Erica Restaino

Over Spring Break, I went on a Gabelli School of Business Study Tour to Santiago, Chile! In addition to exploring the city, we attended lectures at a Chilean Jesuit University and visited several companies. Since the Chilean economy is largely connected to its copper export, one of our visits was to Codelco's El Teniente Copper Mine, which is the largest copper mine in the world. It was quite the experience to go into a copper mine and see how the whole mining process works from start to finish. After the cold winter at Fordham, it felt so great to spend a week in the sun and the heat!

Some of us in all our mining gear

Danielle Smith

While I was sad to see Spring Break end I was happy to get back to Fordham to see my friends. Before my parents headed back home after dropping me off at school we stopped at Palumbo Bakery on Arthur Avenue for delicious pastries!

We love all the colorful treats

Weekend Update

Emily Tanner

Last weekend, my friends and I from the Exec Board of the College Democrats went to Washington, D.C. for the College Democrats of America conference. The experience was amazing, and we got to see President Obama speak along with a private tour of the Capitol! While I missed Rose Hill, it was definitely an experience that I'll never forget.

Enjoying the Washington Monument

Emma Eccleston

After the constant snow we have been having here in New York I couldn't have been happier than when I saw this weekend was supposed to be a little warmer! My friends and I took advantage of the nicer weather and decided to spend Sunday in Manhattan! We spent the day walking around, getting some yummy food, and shopping.  We happened to walk right by Dylan's Candy Bar on the Upper East Side and couldn't resist, they have endless delicious treats! It was a great day and definitely made us want spring weather more than ever!

Some of my lovely views for the day

Jessica Timko

This weekend I met some of my friends in the city, and we went to the 9/11 Memorial.  It was such a nice day out, so afterwards we decided to walk along the High Line, which is an elevated set of train tracks that has been converted into a public park on the West Side.  We finished the day by having some delicious dinner in Chelsea Market.

Freedom Tower

Teresa Swindal

This weekend was very relaxing because midterms are almost over! On Saturday, a few of my friends traveled to a doughnut shop called Dough in Flatiron, which is in Lower Manhattan. The donuts were amazing! Then, we shopped in the area and checked out Chelsea Market, which is a collection of unique shops and restaurants. With the weather getting warmer and the snow beginning to finally melt, the atmosphere in the city and on campus at Rose Hill is more exciting than ever!

Delicious chocolate with chocolate nibs donut

Yuliana Veyberman

A lot of Fordham students come from across the country or even from around the world, but if you're like me, you enjoy living just an hour away from campus. I usually take trips back to my house on weekends when I have a lot of studying to do - or when I really crave a homemade meal, like banana toast and some fresh delicious coffee! It's satisfying to know that my family -- my largest support system -- is just a short car ride away.

A great snack from a relaxing day 

Fordham, Pizza, and Family

There are plenty of exciting things to see and do outside of Fordham's Rose Hill campus, including the Bronx Zoo, Botanical Gardens, and Manhattan. However, sometimes staying on Fordham's campus and enjoying its beautiful atmosphere can be just as enjoyable. This weekend, my mom and my two younger brothers came to visit me here at Fordham Rose Hill! Since it has been so cold here lately, we decided that going out for dinner would not be very comfortable. Luckily, Fordham has many authentic Italian, Chinese, and Mexican restaurants that deliver right to the residence halls on campus! After some deliberation, we finally decided to order pizza. 

One of my brothers was so excited about the pizza,
he took this picture and uploaded it to Snapchat!

We ordered two cheese pies from Pugsley's Pizza, a family owned Italian pizzeria located just outside Fordham's campus. When the pizza arrived, my younger brothers were astonished that the delivery came right to my residence hall! It was very convenient, and my family was happy that they did not have to go outside in the cold. We ate the pizza in my residence hall, and we had a great time laughing and catching up. I am so happy that my family loves to come to Fordham just as much as I do! 

Fordham has two amazing campuses that feel like home to its students. My family is very pleased that when I am not at home with them, I am just as happy at my home here at Rose Hill. Fordham has always been a very welcoming place for me, and I loved showing my family that here at Fordham, we are a "Ramily!"

That One Year We Learned to Cook...

Yum!

Family dinners with friends!

This past fall, I moved into Walsh Hall for my junior year and opted not to get a meal plan because each room in this apartment-style residence hall has its own kitchen. My roommates and I were eager to learn how to live like *real* adults and prepare each meal ourselves.

The challenge over the summer before move-in was coordinating who would bring what – we didn't understand what we would need and quickly realized we needed to figure out some system of dividing the purchases to avoid all bringing the same thing. Even so, when we settled in at the start of the year, we still somehow managed to each bring pans but forget to bring a paper towel holder…

Fresh pasta from Arthur Ave.

Staying cozy during the snowstorm.

My friends and I heard anecdotes from others about how difficult sharing an apartment could be, but we never really felt the stresses of having both private and public space to take care of, especially since we were already so close before moving in together. We quickly figured out a schedule as to when each person would be responsible for making dinners, washing dishes, cleaning various parts of the apartment, and even making the communal pot of coffee in the morning! It suddenly felt like we were our own little family, and, when our own families came to visit, they were always pleasantly surprised at how responsibly we managed our home away from home.

Dining hall trip!

Every so often, I still stop by the Marketplace – the buffet-style dining hall in McGinley – for a quick bite if I’m in a rush between classes or if I’m meeting a friend. In some ways, I really miss the convenience of on-campus dining (and I really did grow quite fond of the steamed veggies over rice at the vegan station!), but having my own kitchen and being able to make my own meals inevitably made me feel a lot more capable of taking care of myself. This year, my roommates and I learned to grocery shop, pick out fresh produce, make tons of healthy meals, and really bonded over this new level of maturity that we’ve reached.  

Burger night!

Sitting down for a “family” dinner at the end of a long day of classes will always be one of my most cherished Fordham memories.

Weekend Update

It's easy to see why students love Fordham during the holidays!

Linda Mule

The buzz is back on campus! After students departed as early as the Monday before Thanksgiving, Fordham's campus is back to being the fast paced and upbeat campus we know and love. The only difference? The huge wreathes and holiday decor which adorn buildings around campus! The holiday season is upon us at Fordham, with everything planned from a holiday fair with free sign ups to go ice skating in the city, Hanukkah celebrations, and Christmas carols! This is a magical time of year, and students are happier than ever to be back home for the holidays, their Fordham home. 

Just some of the miniature New York landmarks

Shannon Donovan

The New York Botanical Garden is right across the street from the main entrance to Fordham.  Every year they have a Holiday Train Show, featuring model trains on a track that runs through a miniature city.  The replicas of popular buildings and landmarks are made of natural materials like bark and leaves.  It is a holiday must!

One of the hundreds of dolls in the NYC store

Kate Callahan

This weekend my parents came to watch me perform with the University Choir in the Annual festival of Lessons and Carols.  Alumni, students, families, and visitors come from all over to see the show, and for many of them it marks the start of the holiday season.  During some downtime, my mom and I walked down 5^th Avenue to check out the window displays at Saks and the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center.  We stopped at the American Girl Place along the way to see some of my favorite toys from when I was a little kid.  The (window) shopping and concert really helped me get into the spirit!

Weekend Update: Thanksgiving Edition

Sara Power

Unfortunately I was not really home for the holidays; however, I definitely made up for it throughout my Sunday! I spent the morning picking out a tree with my family and then travelling back to the Bronx, where my roommate and I got into the Christmas spirit! We've filled our apartment with ivy, holly, cinnamon sticks, bows, miniature trees, you name it! These rams are ready to spread some Yuletide cheer as is the rest of campus, which is currently wrapped up like a present. Christmas is a wonderful time of the year, but Fordham has a particularly infectious holiday spirit that is sure to get every student excited!

Even a little Christmas tree can spread a lot of cheer!

Allison Misciagno-Bergin

This weekend, my friends and I hosted "friends-giving" in our apartment. We cooked all sorts of delicious thanksgiving food: turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and more. We also made custom appetizers with ingredients from our favorite Arthur Ave stores like Casa de la Mozzarella. Overall a great time spent celebrating with friends.

Some of our delicious Friends-giving food!

Deirdre Hynes

I spent the holiday weekend in New Jersey with family, enjoying a delicious Thanksgiving dinner, quality time with my little cousins, and some free time before the last few busy weeks of the semester!

You're never too old for arts and crafts!

Weekend Update

Heather Richards

This past weekend I took a bus to Washington DC to visit my family. They flew in from Chicago to see the Andrew Wyeth art exhibit at The National Gallery of Art. We spent the weekend exploring a couple of museums, eating food, and hanging out together at the house. I really enjoyed the opportunity to see my family, sleep in, read, and explore DC!

A good book and a hot drink make for a very relaxing day

Nicole Pieri

This weekend I focused most of my time on finishing school work before Thanksgiving break. It was very relaxing to stay on campus with the beautiful fall scenery and take my time with my work after a busy week. I was able to finish my work and catch up on my sleep, which was much needed, so it was quite an enjoyable weekend!

I love exploring our beautiful campus

Erica Restaino

This weekend, I met up with some friends from high school. We all go to different colleges in NYC, so we like to meet up every so often. This weekend, we went to Ellen's Stardust Diner. At Ellen's, the waiters and waitresses are aspiring actors and actresses trying to get onto Broadway, so they sing while you eat. It was a ton of fun, and the food was great!

The talented staff at Ellen's Stardust Diner

Weekend Update

It's never a bad idea to bring home cupcakes!

Danielle Smith

This weekend I took a trip back home to Long Island to visit my family. To get home I generally take the Ram Van into the Lincoln Center campus and then walk to Penn Station. On my walk to Penn Station, I passed a Baked by Melissa where I bought cupcakes to surprise my family (and have a few myself)! I loved spending time with my family and they were especially grateful that I brought home cupcakes.

Expressions Dance Alliance takes on the Botans

Gianna Rosamilia

This weekend Expressions Dance Alliance had their biannual photo shoot for their recital at the end of the fall semester. Some of the girls from the company got together and walked over to the Botanical Gardens to take pictures to promote the show, "Dreamers". The Gardens are absolutely beautiful this time of year. The weather was perfect, and it was an incredible day to spend outside with everyone. Not only did we take some awesome pictures for flyers and footage for our promo video, but we got to enjoy the gorgeous scenery of New York's Botanical Gardens, which is free to enter with a Fordham ID! EDA's show this semester takes place at 8 PM on November 21 and 22 in Collins Auditorium, and features student-choreographed lyrical, jazz, contemporary, and tap dances!

Great food, great sights, and great fun!

Emily Tanner

This past weekend I went to ‘Broadway Bites’ in Greeley Square Park! It features a bunch of different vendors of the yummiest food in NYC, from Italian to Mexican to Thai, even some baked goods! It’s called a ‘pop- up market’ and will be on Broadway until November 15th. I had a super fun time in Manhattan with my friends trying all of the different cuisines and just hanging out in the best city in the world.

We loved the laser show

Kirsten Simons

This Friday after work, some friends and I went to get dinner at City Bakery in Chelsea. We had incredibly delicious hot chocolate with our meal and then headed to Brooklyn for the New York Festival of Lights. The festival took place under the Brooklyn Bridge, and it was incredibly fun. The festival featured art from several different artists, all of which centered around lights of all kinds, everything from Christmas tree lights and lasers to fluorescent lights and projections on the side of the bridge.

A beautiful trail at the Botanical Gardens

Anna Romagnoli

This past weekend I took a study break in the Botanical Gardens right across the street from the Rose Hill campus.  It is free for Fordham students and a great place to go on a walk or run and enjoy the fall weather!

Weekend Update

Marisa Diaz

This past weekend, I went pumpkin and apple picking at Wilken’s Fruit and Fir Farm in Yorktown Heights, NY. After finding the perfect pumpkin and picking a peck of apples, my family and I waited on line for an hour just to get a dozen of the delicious fresh baked cider donuts. It definitely got me ready for the fall season!

A beautiful day for pumpkin picking

Abby Collins

Visiting the Central Perk replica in SoHo

This weekend I traveled down to SoHo with a couple of my friends from Fordham. Getting to downtown Manhattan from Fordham’s Rose Hill campus is incredibly easy! We took the Metro North down to Grand Central and then took the subway the rest of the way. We went to go see the replica of Central Perk that sprung up recently in honor of the 20th anniversary of the first episode of “Friends”! The line was about two hours long but it was worth it in the end to see the iconic yellow couch that was in almost every episode of the show! After wrapping up in Central Perk, we strolled around the streets of SoHo until we came across a large Italian festival that was going on, in honor of San Gennaro. The festival went on for about fifteen blocks, all of which were full of celebration. There was enough food, music, and liveliness to brighten my whole weekend!

Nicole Cruz

On Sunday, Fordham hosted its annual Senior Open House.  Thousands of prospective students and their families attended various events throughout the day to learn more about Fordham.  As part of the Rose Hill Society, I helped in getting the families where they needed to be and showing them around campus.  We had a lot of fun!

Future Fordham Rams

Go Rams!

Nicole Chiuchiolo

Fordham was bustling with activity this weekend! There was so much going on. On Friday night my friends and I had a blast at Ram Town. Ram Town is the kickoff to the basketball season where they introduce players and give out free food and prizes! On Saturday I attended the Theatrical Outreach Program’s production of “Our Town” in Collins Auditorium. Not only was it an amazing student produced and student directed show, it was also free! On Sunday I had a blast at Senior Open House! I was able to give tours, interact with prospective students, and hang out with the Fordham Ram!

Weekend Update

Beautiful decor in Ed's Chowder House

Caroline McCue

This weekend I made time to meet my grandparents in the city and meet them for lunch in Lincoln Center!  One of the best parts of Fordham is its proximity to Manhattan!  I hadn't seen my grandparents since Easter, so it was awesome to reunite with them!  We went to a great restaurant about 5 minutes away from the Lincoln Center campus called Ed's Chowder House.  It is on top of the Empire Hotel and is absolutely gorgeous!  Here, I had their signature clam chowder and a side Caesar salad.  Seafood always reminds me of my home of Massachusetts, so it was awesome to be able to catch up with them and have a taste of home at the same time.

A lovely night spent in Bryant Park

Allison Misciagno-Bergin

This weekend, it was my friend's birthday and we all went into the city for sushi. It was a nice break from the hectic pace of classes and internships before midterms began. We ended up getting some Ben and Jerry's and sitting in Bryant Park talking for a few hours. It was truly a beautiful sight with amazing friends. It's crazy to that that this park is only 20 minutes away by train from the comfort of my dorm room.

Looking forward to our production of Spamalot

Cerisse Gabion

This weekend was a theatrical one for me. I was recently cast in the ensemble for The Mimes and Mummer's production of Spamalot and we just had our first rehearsal and read-through on Saturday. It was an absolutely hilarious and fun-filled time and I am looking forward to working with my talented cast-mates to put on a great show in November! After that, I attended a Verbal Essences show, one of Fordham Experimental Theatre's umbrella clubs that focuses on Spoken Word performances. To have been in such an intimate environment like the Blackbox Theatre in Collins Hall and being able to listen to some of my peers pour out their emotions in beautiful poetry was a great way to end my Saturday.

Shannon Donovan

Great food, great location

This weekend I went home to spend Columbus Day with my family.  We went out to breakfast at the Irish Coffee Shop on McLean Avenue in Yonkers.  It was great to catch up with them and enjoy a delicious meal.  Just 10 minutes away from Fordham, this is one of the endless food options to explore here!

Caroline Dunn

Enjoyed a great meal and even better company at Dig Inn

I took advantage of Monday’s holiday and went home to Philadelphia for the weekend. I returned to NYC Monday afternoon just in time to meet up with my sister for lunch. She lives on the Upper East Side but works in finance about five blocks away from Grand Central. We tried a new restaurant called, Dig Inn Seasonal Market. Dig Inn is designed in a similar layout to Chipotle in which customers choose the individual components of their meal. The restaurant offers farmer-to-table options that are locally grown and serviced in house. Customers have the option of choosing which proteins they would like served on either a green, like arugula, or a grain, like brown rice. Meals also include a choice or two or three hot or cold sides. Dig Inn’s sides change seasonally, featuring spaghetti squash and pumpkin quinoa for the fall. With most meals costing just $10, Dig Inn is a quick, affordable and healthy spot to grab lunch while in the Grand Central area or near their eight other Manhattan locations.